The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has issued MMJ cards to 1,339 patients since December, the Concord Monitor reported. But even more have been waiting longer than the legal 20 days to receive their cards since handing in their applications.

At least 100 patients have not yet received their cards, the paper reported, and some of those patients have been waiting more than 40 days. More could be waiting soon, given that applications continue to pour in.

A spokesman for the agency told the paper he hopes the backlog will be eliminated by early October, with all patient applications up to date and the department brought into compliance with state law.

Part of the reason for the backlog is a continual flow of applications, the spokesman said, with up to 35 a day arriving since dispensaries began opening in May. The entire state has four dispensaries.

Furthermore, just two full-time state employees are processing applications, while seven are mailing cards to patients.